Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has launched a strong attack on Sinn Féin and repeated that his party will not share power with them if in a position to form a government after the general election.

Speaking at Fianna Fáil's annual Wolfe Tone commemoration in Bodenstown on Sunday, Mr Martin said the republicanism of the men and women of 1916 was directly inspired by Wolfe Tone.

“The party which today uses the name Sinn Féin has no right to claim that it represents the men and women of 1916,” he added.

“Founded less than 50 years ago, the Provisional movement waged a campaign in the face of the overwhelming and constantly reaffirmed opposition of the Irish people.”

Loyalty questioned

Mr Martin said the movement “used methods which dishonoured the Republic, and its first loyalty has always been to its own and not the Irish people”.

Speaking to journalists later, Mr Martin said his party would not go into government with Fine Gael or Sinn Féin after the election.

“We did well in the local elections and are fighting this campaign on our own merits, putting forward policies and issues which we think are important and central to the future of the country,’’ he added.

“We must debate the issues and then people will decide who they are going to elect and in what numbers.”

More unfair society

In his oration, Mr Martin said Ireland was becoming a more unfair and divided society.

“We are experiencing a two-tier recovery which is threatening to deliver a two-tier economy and society,’’ he added.

“What is worst about this is that it is not happening by accident; it is the direct result of the unjust and unfair policies of this Government.’’

In a statement, Mr Adams said Mr Martin clearly preferred to talk about Sinn Féin rather than his own party, even at Fianna Fáil events.

‘Thatcher’ example

"In his latest outburst, Micheál Martin seeks to follow the example of Margaret Thatcher in trying to criminalise the republican struggle,'' he added.

“However, like Thatcher, Micheál Martin will fail. Most citizens see through his cynical opportunism in relation to the peace process, which is all to do with fear about the electoral advance of Sinn Féin in the South.’’

Mr Adams said that, unlike Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin had a mandate in both parts of the island and had been central to the ongoing and positive transformation of society in the North.

He said Sinn Féin had never tried to claim ownership of 1916.

“Instead, we have sought to popularise the centenary and place the message of the 1916 Proclamation at the centre of the commemorative events,’’ he added.